Hope and fear as resort aims to transform Lombok to ‘Miami of Indonesia’

From the hills above this quiet coastal village on the Indonesian island of Lombok, the view is postcard perfect: turquoise waters curl against a rocky islet, coconut groves shade clusters of houses and children run barefoot along dusty paths.

For generations, life in Buwun Mas has changed little. Now, it may change all at once.

On 149 hectares (368 acres) of farmland and coastline, developers are pushing ahead with Marina Bay City, a planned billion-dollar resort billed as the “Miami of Indonesia”.

The project, led by Australian investors, promises a marina, luxury villas and hotels – the kind of large-scale tourism venture its backers say could transform one of Lombok’s poorest districts.

“For decades, investors came here, bought land and promised to build,” said Rochidi, the village chief of Buwun Mas.

“But nothing happened. Some plots were abandoned, even classified as neglected land,” said Rochidi, who goes by one name.

This time, they are actually building, he said. “We are hopeful our people can be involved, as workers, as partners, as beneficiaries.”